Our emergency services acted with their usual commendable speed during yesterday's alert at Eynsham.

At first, it may have seemed little more than a simple shed fire.

But, with thick smoke pouring above the village, it soon became apparent that that it was something far more serious.

Fire crews found they were dealing with what police later described as an "explosive cocktail" of acetylene, carbon dioxide, paints and oils.

Nine families initially had to leave their homes, but the zone was later extended and more families were evacuated as a precaution.

Safety must always be the No 1 priority in such circumstances.

If it is proved that the fire was arson, the law will take its usual course.

But there are no doubt other questions to which the emergency teams will want answers.

How was it that such a volatile collection of materials had been stored in the shed?

Were any laws broken? And if not, do we need to strengthen the law?

After a day of disruption to their lives, the villagers of Eynsham deserve to be told.